Messages

211

General Mach Discussion / Re: Soft limits issue on lathe - Need help

« on: November 16, 2010, 03:31:15 AM »

Damn.. was hoping it was just setup and not a bug. Is there any way around this? I am thinking maybe turn soft limits on only when in jog mode? Got any suggestions? I only use it as a limit switch for jogging as I will be using the full X axis for gang tooling. I can add a switch to the other side for a limit but its going to be some work. I would much rather make this work in software. Especially since it knows where zero is and where the stop is. To me a switch is redundant. Now the big question is... if you setup normal limit switches and use the home switch as a home/limit switch is this working correctly or is there a bug with that as well? Also if I do set it up this way can I make it so I can jog off the switch if they are hit?

212

General Mach Discussion / Soft limits issue on lathe - Need help

« on: November 15, 2010, 11:51:35 PM »

I am having an issue with my soft limits telling me I am over traveling on X every time I run a program. I just installed home switches. They are located at the far end on z away from the chuck and the far positive of X ( closest towards the operator) This is setup as front tool post. Everything homes fine. I can jog away from zero on X  and the soft limits work in both directions.  It slows and wont hit the hard stop. As I jog away away from zero on the X (away from the operator) I increase my negative number in machine coordinance like it should. Everything seems to be working fine manually. Problem is when I run any program it gives me a warning that I am over traveling my X axis on soft limits. I continue and it cuts the part as it should. What can I do to fix this warning and still use soft limits?

213

FAQs / Re: Testing input from LPT2

« on: November 10, 2010, 12:24:13 AM »

I have yet to find a pci parallel card that allows 2-9 to become inputs. Tried at least 10 of them.  You can always try swapping the ports around and using the motherboard parallel port as port 2. Then enable 2-9 as inputs.

214

VB and the development of wizards / Re: Complex Turning Wizard..... Possible re-do/upgrade.... anyone?

« on: November 08, 2010, 01:31:58 PM »

I am interested. I was working on a screenset that actually includes all the wizards. Updating would sure be great. It works like the Haas intuitive programming. Basically tabs for each op like this...

215

Forum suggestions and report forum problems. / Re: down loads for the Art Soft site

« on: October 30, 2010, 08:50:59 PM »

You can also use a ftp client at ftp.machsupport.com

216

Works in progress / Re: M3 Screen - Modern 1024x768 optimized for Touch Screen

« on: October 30, 2010, 05:41:05 PM »

I personally like it. Its very clean and straight forward. I think adding tons of color becomes distracting. I love that the key things remain in the same locations no matter what screen you are on. Very easy to understand. I have been working on a lathe screenset myself. This biggest issues I have is the buttons. Not very good with making this look realistic when mousing over and pressing. Any chance you would share your graphics or maybe even point me in the direction to create them myself? Will this be a standard screenset or flash based?

217

Promote and discuss your product / Re: Mach3 as 3d printer software

« on: October 29, 2010, 12:14:03 AM »

It actually dosent look hard at all to make this work. Basically here is what I see that is needed...

1) 3 axes mill / router.
2) Additional stepper axis (4th axis "A")
3) Mach 3 control.
4) Modified skeinforge. Swap E for A in the script so the E control moves the A axis.
5) Mendel style extruder with A axis for the feed.
6) Temperature control for the heat of the extruder.  This one should work great...
http://cgi.ebay.com/Omega-Programmable-Digital-Thermocouple-Meter-Excellent-/110604146539?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item19c085576b

218

Promote and discuss your product / Re: Mach3 as 3d printer software

« on: October 28, 2010, 08:05:00 PM »

You could use the spindle PWM to control the temperature setting. Can even setup the arduino to output a pulse (RPM input) that can me read as true temperature on a DRO. Convert RPM to temp in a screenset. Heck maybe the PID would work too? Give you full control in software.

219

Promote and discuss your product / Re: Mach3 as 3d printer software

« on: October 26, 2010, 02:59:02 PM »

What are you using to create the G-Code?

220

General Mach Discussion / Re: Relay for TTL signals?

« on: October 24, 2010, 06:02:00 PM »

How about using a simple opto isolator?